6 Comments

Deviled eggs are super easy and you can do them a ton of different ways. One with smoked paprika and bacon (I think that came from epicurious?). One traditional. One with chipotle or harissa or some other spicy blend. Scoop out the yolks and prepare the fillings ahead of time and then just fill them prior to serving. Also there might be something to be said for a cheese and olive plate (always a hit). Toasted baguettes with a variety of toppings that guests can add themselves - a tomato topping, a salmon/caper blend, an olive tapenade. Helping any?

When throwing a cocktail party, you want to give your guests an experience that they can't really get elsewhere. That means putting together a menu that is brand new and exciting. I always throw a themed party. If you choose to do Italian for example, try the following: arancini balls with smoked mozzarella, bison and lamb meatballs with a nice pasta sauce, chocolate eggplant, a bruschetta bar, and a veggie platter should cover you.

Cocktail foods, cocktail parties and planning them are my favorite so excuse me if I get verbose. Lately I am feeling nostalgic for the cocktail foods of my parents - baked brie en croute, rumaki, shrimp cocktail (which I sometimes serve with chimmichurri instead of cocktail sauce, always a hit), mini beef wellingtons. A crudite using vegetables with fall colors and fall vegetables, perhaps something not expected like sweet potato or brussels sprouts. Any sort or canape would work. These recipes also go well and can be made ahead. http://www.food52.com/recipes...http://www.food52.com/recipes...http://www.food52.com/recipes...In my home state of Maryland no cocktail party in the fall or winter is complete without crab dip. http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/bal-bab-crabrecipes0517,0,3368772.htmlstory
Good luck and let us know how it goes!